What we know about the case of UFC fighter Walt Harris' missing stepdaughter
Here's what you need to know about the case of Aniah Blanchard, the stepdaughter of the UFC's Walt Harris, who went missing on the night of Oct. 23.
Aniah Blanchard, the stepdaughter of UFC heavyweight Walt Harris, was reported missing on Oct. 24.
Blanchard, a 19-year-old college student, is described as light in complexion, 5-foot-6, 125 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing a black dress, tan duck boots, and black stockings.
Here’s what we know based on a timeline of developments.
(Editor’s note: This will continue to be updated as events unfold.)
Oct. 23: Blanchard last seen and heard from
Blanchard is last seen in a convenience store at a Chevron gas station making a purchase and had communication with a friend just before midnight.
Auburn (Ala.) police later released surveillance video of Blanchard at the store.
Oct. 24: Harris pleads for help
News of Blanchard’s disappearance becomes public after Harris pleads for help on Twitter and Instagram.
Please help!!!! Any info message me on here or call the Auburn police (334) 501-3140 Please!!! BOLO: Black 2017 Honda CRV Tag: 49BS356 My daughters name is Aniah!
— Walt Harris (@thebigticket205) October 24, 2019
Initially, police do not suspect foul play.
Oct. 25: Blanchard’s vehicle located
Investigators locate Blanchard’s black 2017 Honda CRV at an apartment complex in Montgomery, Ala. The vehicle sports damage not present at the time of her disappearance.
Oct. 26: Harris and his family issue video PSA on Instagram
Oct. 30: Alabama governor, Dana White kick-start reward money
Alabama governor Kay Ivey issues a $5,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s) responsible for Blanchard’s disappearance. UFC president Dana White steps up with a $25,000 contribution. Others, including UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, also step up. In total, reward money eventually reaches more than $100,000.
Any donations towards efforts to locate Blanchard are encouraged to be made via PayPal to FindAniahBlanchard@gmail.com.
Oct. 31: Police suspect foul play
Police say evidence found inside Blanchard’s vehicle indicates she is a victim of foul play. A social media message sent by Blanchard to her roommate indicated she might have been with a male before she disappeared, according to her mother.
“There are just a lot of things that don’t add up for us as parents,” Harris said. “We just really, really want to know.”
The next day, MMA Junkie learns Harris has withdrawn from his scheduled Dec. 7 headline fight at UFC on ESPN 7 in Washington, D.C.
Nov. 6: Police seek person of interest
Police release footage from the same store around the time Blanchard was last seen of of a man they consider a person of interest. He is a black man in his 20s, believed to be between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10 and approximately 200 pounds. He was described as leaving the area in a Lincoln Town Car, which appeared silver or gray.
Blanchard’s father reacts to the news.
Nov. 7: Person of interest identified
Per the City of Auburn website:
The Auburn Police Division has identified the person of interest as Ibraheem Yazeed, 30 years of age from Montgomery, Alabama. A warrant has been obtained for his arrest for the charge of kidnapping in the first degree. Currently, the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Taskforce along with other agencies assisting in this investigation are actively searching for Yazeed. Yazeed is currently out on bond for the charges of kidnapping and attempted murder from another jurisdiction. He should be considered dangerous and potentially armed.
According to the Montgomery Advertiser, Yazeed has a lengthy criminal history that dates back to April 2011.